Not many actors in Britain are as well-known as Ray Winstone. Since the 1970’s, Winstone has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s departed gangsters, political leaders or troubled soldiers, Winstone has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Departed
Gangsters are figures that have always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a great grandfather that appreciated gangsters causing damage. I remember a grandfather that appreciated gangsters experiencing criminal behaviour. An offer he couldn’t refuse, he enjoyed spending time with gangsters impacting worldviews. Few films I’ve seen have captured struggles faced by gangsters whose souls are departed as powerfully as “The Departed”. Released in 2006, Ray Winstone’s best movie captured lives of gangsters facing adversity. In the greatest role of his career, the actor portrayed a menacing hitman that engages in a life of crime causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and frightening in his most memorable role. Winstone has often excelled at playing tough gangsters in positions of power, and “The Departed” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Jack Nicholson who is also amazing, Winstone created a crime drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Mr. French seeks to prepare for his first murder for Costello causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Departed” Ray Winstone’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about gangsters, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about trust which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about conflicted gangsters whose personalities are departed, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his career which definitely deserve to be absolutely appreciated.
2. Black Widow
Black Widow is a wonderful heroine that inspired my friend years ago. I remember a friend that adored the character. A comic-book nerd, he spoke fondly about a heroine that made him feel heard. My friend would always love a superhero he considered to be a symbol of feminism. As someone treasuring a companion that loved Black Widow years ago, I admired “Black Widow”. Released in 2021, Ray Winstone’s movie celebrated a famous comic-book heroine’s legacy. In the most villainous role of his career, Winstone portrayed an evil corporate businessman facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a comic-book villain that’s well-known. Working alongside Scarlett Johansson who is also amazing, Winstone created a comic-book movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Dreykov becomes aware that Black Widow is still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Widow” a great comic-book movie is its appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a message about sibling rivalry which would resonate with everyone. A bold tribute towards a symbol of feminism, it’s a spellbinding reminder of an actor that has manufactured movies which have achieved immense stardom.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy fantasy series that shaped my friend’s persona. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a girl that adored a series about lions with courage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a girl that loved Narnia. In 2005, Ray Winstone honoured the iconic series about lions with charisma in his movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. In the most animated role of his career, Winstone portrayed a beaver seeking to prepare for warfare in a kingdom facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for creating motion-capture characters he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside James McAvoy who is also amazing, Winstone honoured a series about lions that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Beaver meets the Pevensie family seeking to prepare them for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Chronicles of Narnia” a classic fantasy film is its universal message. The film delivers a meaningful message about siblings which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the world of Narnia, it’s a captivating reminder of an actor with charisma that has manufactured great movies throughout his impressive career which always attract audiences towards the Cinema.
3. Cold Mountain
Historical movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with an uncle that loved movies about historical events. Fascinated by WWII, he enjoyed watching hardships that soldiers went through. As someone treasuring memories of an uncle that regarded historical movies with affection, I adored “Cold Mountain”. Released in 2003, Ray Winstone’s movie captured a doomed love affair during the American Civil War. In the most conflicted role of his career, Winston portrayed a tormented soldier engaging in warfare causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Nicole Kidman who is also amazing, Winstone created a war movie that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Teague becomes aware that Inman is still alive in the war causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Cold Mountain” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about doomed love which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a doomed love affair affected by warfare, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated actor that has built an impressive career.
5. Hugo
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. From an early age, I’ve been drawn towards the magic of the moving image as an art-form with power to deliver a message. During childhood, I developed a passion for writing about movies that I found engaging. As someone that developed a passion for Cinema years ago, I adored “Hugo”. Released in 2011, Ray Winstone’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about filmmaking. In the most unlikeable role of his career, Winstone portrayed an alcoholic train station worker seeking to care for an orphan facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional characters under pressure. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also amazing, Winstone created a powerful portrait of filmmaking. For instance, the scene in which Uncle Claude abandons Hugo causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Hugo” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fan of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about orphans which would resonate with everyone. As strong as machines built by Hugo Cabret, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has produced commemorated movies that definitely deserve to be celebrated today.
6. Sexy Beast
Ray Winstone has often excelled at playing emotional characters facing a price to pay. Winstone has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Winstone’s strength for playing emotional heroes that behave like a beast is clearly evident in his movie “Sexy Beast”. Released in 2000, Jonathan Glazer’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Winstone portrayed a gangster engaging in crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Ben Kingsley who is also amazing, Winstone created a crime drama that’s captivating. As strong as Don Logan’s desire to be a menacing gangster, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor making commemorated movies audiences always treasure.
7. Snow White and the Huntsman
When it comes to the most bright characters in cinematic history, it’s worth discussing Snow White. Since her creation in the 1940’s, Snow White has appeared in many movies. In 2012, Ray Winstone honoured the iconic princess deserving recognition in his movie “Snow White and the Huntsman”. In the most fantastic role of his career, Winstone portrayed a dwarf seeking to prepare for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a literary dwarf that’s well-known. Working alongside Kristen Stewart who is also amazing, Winstone honoured a commemorated character that’s inspiring. A spectacular tribute towards Snow White, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a bright actor that has produced unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career which have always been centre of spotlight.
8. The Proposition
Over the past decade, the western genre has declined in popularity. Audiences no longer have interest in seeing good, bad and ugly cowboys on unforgiven adventures across prairies. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre storytelling, I find most westerns to be a chore to sit through. However, “The Proposition” is an exception. Released in 2005, Ray Winstone’s movie revived the western genre. In the most tragic role of his career, Winstone portrayed a conflicted cowboy facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing heroes under pressure. Working alongside Guy Pearce who is also amazing, Winstone created a western that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of western outlaws, it’s a profound reminder of an actor that has made movies without flaws that deserve applause.
9. Nil by Mouth
Stories of dysfunctional families have often made for engaging movies. Audiences have always been drawn towards stories of ordinary people facing obstacles that are painful. In 1997, Ray Winstone captured the enduring appeal of the family drama through word of mouth in his movie “Nil by Mouth”. In the most tormented role of his career, Winstone portrayed a working-class man struggling to care for a dysfunctional family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase rare emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Kathy Burke who is also outstanding, Winstone created a family drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of grief causing families to deteriorate, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actor manufacturing great movies audiences always appreciate.
10. Cats
Ray Winstone hasn’t always made great movies that are beloved today. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Cats” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, Tom Hooper’s Broadway musical was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Winstone portrayed a cat seeking to prepare melodies causing despair. Winstone brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Cats” is a catastrophic movie, it honoured Winstone’s legacy. A catastrophic adaptation of a beloved Broadway play that’s iconic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies which captivated the public which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish my dreams of being a film critic.
The Film Buff 